half birthday (Gavin's 2.5)

Gavin's half-birthday is today, so that makes him two and a half years old! I used to do one of these posts every month, but not having done one in 6 months I have LOTS of pictures to post. Is this too many? :)

Things Gavin loves: playing in his sandbox, drinking hot chocolate (yes, even in the heat), singing, dancing, the park, calling us by our first names, play dates with friends, the zoo, cousins, making animal noises and giving big wet kisses.

when the storm clouds gather...

eyelash stickers, anyone?

Happy half-birthday, little man! 

Taste of Cincinnati

Taste of Cincinnati is the longest-running culinary arts festival in the USA, and it attracts at least a half-million people each year. We had a really fun time there Saturday.

Jacob insisted on kissing the Haribo bear who gave us free samples.

 Among many other things, here's what we ate...

Buffalo drumsticks--brilliant, right?
Everything good about buffalo wings, with more to enjoy!

But very messy--Emily is smart to let Joel get his hands dirty.

The cherry pastry was good. We did NOT attempt to consume the GIANT cream puff.

Best free sample of the day: Chobani tubes. I'm in LOVE with Chobani!

Hungarian cucumber salad

veggie tortilla chips--also a free sample,
but very liberally given

Best of the day: a real gyro. Mmmmmmmmm

An event like this draws crazy-huge crowds...

...and some crazies.

Findlay Market

Findlay Market in Cincinnati is Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market. It had the feel of some of the European markets we loved, so we definitely enjoyed our visit there Saturday.

These pastries were delicious, but the pecan bar that stole
the show wasn't around long enough  to be photographed

Florida

The area of Florida where Jacob grew up has the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. The water is clear and green, and the sand is pure white. It just doesn't get any better. We loved spending last week there.

It was the best castle I could build with no tools...

flying kites at sunset

Jacob's grandma lives in a big house in a secluded cove right on the water. She has a small beach and a dock, and it's always fun to swim there too.

reliving childhood memories at Grandma's house

Family Reunion

We went to Florida last week for Jacob's family reunion, and also to honor the family's matriarch at her 80th birthday. It was great to spend the week with Jacob's family.

Jacob with his 3 brothers (playing Cranium)

Jacob's parents with their grandkids

cousin huddle

Uncle Jon with Katelyn and Jane

Jane LOVED being hurled off the deck into her
dad's arms.

Ashley, Jared, Lilly
(I've said it before, and I'll say it again: these people belong on magazine covers!)

I love this sweet picture:
Gavin cuddling with Great-Grandma

She's a remarkable person. And now she's 80!